While two Good Samaritans were strolling through Jefferson County, Missouri, they stumbled upon an unexpected encounter that left them stunned. A mysterious black animal with wrinkled skin, almost entirely hairless and covered in painful scabs, approached them. At first, it was hard to tell what kind of animal he was, but after taking a closer look, they realized this poor creature was, in fact, a dog. It was clear the pup was in desperate need of help, so the pair immediately reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, explaining the dire situation.
The rescue team wasted no time, instructing them to bring the dog to their facility for care. Determined to give the pup a fighting chance, a man named Todd Whiteaker took it upon himself to transport him. Initially, Todd worried about how difficult it might be to catch the pup and coax him into the car. However, the sweet dog surprised him. “He immediately jumped over me in the driver’s seat and laid down next to me in the passenger’s seat,” Whiteaker shared on Facebook.
Once they arrived at the rescue center, the team wasted no time conducting a full medical examination. Tests soon confirmed the pup was suffering from a severe case of scabies, a painful skin condition caused by mites, leading to extreme itching and irritation.
His infection was severe, and he needed daily medicated baths and antibiotics. The poor dog was terrified during his first bath and let out a dreadful howl. It upset his new human friends but they knew these treatments would aid in his healing. The team named the brave pup Lycan, a nod to his werewolf-like appearance. Due to the contagious nature of his condition, Lycan had to be placed in isolation for two weeks. During that time, he received all the medical care he needed, along with gentle love and affection.
Lycan loved affection, but to pet him, his rescuers had to wear gloves and gowns. With time, Lycan’s skin began to heal, and tiny patches of fur started to grow back. His incredible progress meant he was finally ready for foster care, and Todd Whiteaker didn’t hesitate to step forward. He took Lycan home, helping him with potty training and working on his separation anxiety.
Here’s Lycan on day 1 (left photo) and here he is on day thirty!
During their time together, Todd discovered Lycan’s favorite activities: basking in the sun, riding in the car, and, most of all, snuggling as close to his foster dad as possible. As weeks turned into months, Lycan’s transformation was nothing short of miraculous. His fur grew in thick and golden, revealing his true identity—a stunning blonde Husky. His fur will get nice and fluffy soon!
Three months after his rescue, Lycan is now healthy, happy, and full of life. While he has attended several adoption events, the search for his forever family is still ongoing. But his rescuers are certain it won’t be long before he finds the perfect home. His foster dad assures us that Lycan will only know love, and his days of emotional and physical pain are forever behind him.
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Thank you to all the kind people who helped Lycan on his journey. His rescue and transformation wouldn’t have been possible without generous people like you!
Toledo, United States.
